Adjusting- mechanism



June 3,1930. H. P. DAHLSTRAND ADJUSTING MECHANISM Filed May 31, 1928 Patented June 3, 1939 UNITED STATE TE? HANS P. DAHLSTRAND, F WAUWATOSA, "WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR T0 ALLIS-CHALMEBS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF MELWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE ADJUSTING MECHANISM Application filed May 31, 1928. Serial No. 281,993.

The present invention relates in general to improvements in the construction and operation of adjusting mechanisms, and relates more specifically to improvements in (iEVl 'lS tor ell'ecting axial adjustn'ient of a or rotor in order to establish accurate clearances between the rotary element and :an adjacent n'ieniber.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved adjusting mechanism for effecting axial adjustment Within predetermined limits, of a rotary element such as a shalt. Another object of the invention is to provide simple and eiicctive means for effecting variation in the clearances between a rotary element and its enclosing housing, from the uQiP iHI' oi the housing. A further n IJjQCi oi the invention is to provide improved inslruinentulities for effecting simulteinoi :ix'izd adjustment of a shaft and of a thrust hearing associated therewith, and for definitely limiting the adjusting motion. Still another object oi the invention is to jiiiii' i'it) u c mwniently manipulable limit slog; roopei'ating with the clearance ud- Rxstiug IYltL'llSIllSll'l ot a steam turbine or the like, \i'horeby the rotor clearance may be accurately detern'iined from the exterior of the turbine casing. These and other objects of th intention will be apparent from the following description.

A clear conception of an embodiment of the invention and of the mode of constructing; and o? nninipuleting clearance adjusting ilifl'j'iil nisins built in accordance therewith now he hud by referring to the draw- *ingp; and forming a part of i in which like reference I? "ate the some or similar ports in the various views Fig. i i a fragmentary longitudinal vertical St'ti'l. o through a. combined thrust and guide be {I for a shaft, and through the mechanism Qor ellj'ccting axial adjustment of the shu'li.

Fin. 2 is a port sectional bottom View of the improv d shett adjusting mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a somewhat diagrammatic end view of the improved soaft adjusting mechanism.

The improve-d bearing structure shown in detail in the drawing, comprises in general a stationary member or main casing 10: a movable member or auxiliary casino; 3 slidnbly confined uithin the main casing 10; a main shaft 2 extending; centrally through the auxiliary casing i"); u thrust hearing between the shaft and the casing 3 and coinris-ling a flange (5 rigidly attached to the shaft by means of n chunping nut 20, and hearing shoes 1'? coucting: with the flange 6 and with the auxiliary casing 3; and a guide bearing 18 cooperating with the shaft 2 and confined within the 11min casing adjacent to one end of the casing 53.

Ihe thrust bearing is oi well known construct on and is adapted to normally prevent axial displnccu'lcut of the main shaft 2 Within the main casing 10. The auxiliary casing 3 provided along the lower portion of one end thereof, with an outwardly projecting curved. flange 22 which is slightly inclined relative to n she extending perpendicular to the shaft axis. This inclined flange is disposed Within a recess formed in :1 rotary curved wedge l which is in turn fitted Within a groove in the main casing 10. The Wedge recess is formed to provide considerable clearance for endwise adjustment oi the flange The curved wedge l forms a limit stop for the clearance adjuster, and is provided with teeth 16 which mesh with a Worm 5 carried by a shaft 15. The shaft is rotatably mounted in the main casing 10 and the end of this shaft which extends beyond the exterior of the casing 10, is provided with. a hand wheel 14.

The flanged end oi the auxiliary casing 3 is provided with :1 rearward extension 7 having threaded end sockets therein. A pair of parallel screw threaded rods 8 are rotatably mounted in an end cap 21 secured to the cusing 10, and have screw threaded reaction with the sockets of the extension 1'. Each of the rods 8 curries a Worm Wheel 9 and these worm Wheels cooperate with Worms l1 secured to the clearance adjusting shaft 12. The clearance edjusting shaft 12 is rotatably supported in the end plate 21 and may be r0- tated to effect axial adjustment of the shaft 2, by means of a lever 13.

The bearing structure is especially applicable to steam turbine structures wherein a rotor is carried by the shaft 2 and this rotor cooperates through predetermined clearances, with the turbine casing. When thus employed, the improved device permits relative adjustment of the rotor and easing, at any time after the machine has been assembled. The improved mechanism also permits such relative adjustment of the rotor and easing, from the exterior of the unit and without dismantling any parts thereof.

l fhcn it becomes desirable to longitudinally adjust the shaft "2, the lever 13 may be manipulated to cause the gears 5), ii and the threaded rods 8 to gradually shift. the inner casing 3 and the elements courting therewith including the shaft 52, along the outer casing 10, within the limits of the groove of the wedge l. By virtue of the clearance provided between the sides of the vedge groove and the flange 22, the wedge l forms a limit stop which positively prevents further axial adjustment of the shaft 2 when the flange engage-s a side surface of the wedge recess, unless the wedge is withdrawn by manipulation of the hand wheel 14. V hen the hand wheel l-lis manipulated, the wedge i is shifted about the shaft axis, thereby advancing the limit stop surfaces x ally of the shaft in either direction.

During such axial adiustment of the shaft 2. it slides within the guide bearing 18, and.

the ielative position of the thrust bearing parts is not interfered with as the thrust bearing moves bodily along with the shaft. lVhen the desired degree of adjustment has been attained. the worm gearing 9, 11 firmly locks the shaft 2, the thrust bearing and the easing 3 in position. An indicating device 19 associated with one of the shafts 8, serves to determ ne the degree and the final posi tion of adjustment of the parts.

It will thus he noted that the improvement provides means for rapidly and effectively moving the shaft 2 and the associated parts long tudinally of the shaft axis, from the exterior of the main casing 10. Such adjustment may be accomplished without disturbing the thrust bearing and the elements may be effectively maintained in position after adjustment. The rotary wedge 4 constitutes simple means for varying the limits of adjustment of the parts in opposite direction, and th s wedge is readily manipulable to so adjust the limit stops by means of the hand wheel ll. The wedge clearance may be made any desi red amount, depending upon the rotor clearances required.

it should he understood that it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact details of construction and operation herein shown and described, for various modifies.

tions within the scope of the claims may occur to persons skilled in the art.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In coml'iination, a stationary member, a

movable member supported by said station ary member, a shaft extending in proximity to said movable member, a thrust bearing between said shaft and said movable member, means for axially moving said shaft, and a single curved wedge for simultaneously limiting the movement of said shaft and of said bearing and of said movable member along said stationary member in either of two directions.

In combinat on, a stationary member, a movable member slidably supported by said st ationary member. a shaft extending in proximity to said movable member, a thrust bear ing between said shaft and said movable member, means for axially moving said shaft and bearing, and a single rotary wedge for s multaneously limiting the movement of said shaft and of said bearing and of said movable member along said stationary member longitudinally of the shaft axis in either di rection.

3. In con'ihination, a stationary casing, a movable casing housed w thin said stationary casing, a shaft extending into said movable casing, a thrust bearing between said shaft and said movable casing, means for axially moving said shaft and said bearing and said movable cas ng, and a single curved wedge operable from the exterior of said stationary casing for simultaneously limiting the movement of said shaft and of said bearinzr and of said movable casin g longitudinally of said shaft n e ther direction.

4. In combination, a stationary casing, a movable casing housed within said stationary casing, a shaft extending through said movable casing. a thrust bearing housed within said movable casing and cooperating with said shaft and with said movable casing, means for shifting said movable casing axially of said shaft, and a single wedge rotatable within said stationary casing from the exterior thereof for simultaneously limiting the movement of said shaft and of said movable casing along the axis of said shaft in either direction.

5. In combination, a stationary casing, a movable casing located within said stationary casing, a shaft having a thrust bearing located within said movable casing, a single rotary wedge for simultaneously limiting the movement of said shaft. and of said hearing and of said movable casing along the shaft axis in either direction, and means associated with said stationary casing for axially shifting said shaft and for locking the same in adjusted position.

6. In combination, a movable casing having a peripheral flange, a shafthaving a thrust hearing within and cooperating with said casing, and a wedge having a recess the sides of which are cooperable through clearance with the opposite sides of said flange to simultaneously limit the movement of said casing and of said bearing and of said shaft longitudinally of the shaft axis in either di rection.

7. In combination, a stationary casing, a movable casing housed within said stationary casing, a shaft extending into said movable casing, a thrust bearing between said shaft and said movable casing, means for axially moving said shaft and said bearing and said movable casing, a single curved wedge for simultaneously limiting the movement of said shaft and of said bearing and of said movable casing longitudinally of said shaft, and means operable from the exterior of said stationary casing for manipulating said wedge.

8. In combination, a stationary casing, a movable casing located within said stationary casing, a shaft having a thrust hearing located within said movable casing, a rotary wedge for simultaneously limiting the movement of said shaft and of said bearing and of said movable casing along the shaft axis, and means operable from the exterior of said stationary casing for rotating said wedge.

9. In combination, a movable casing having a flange extending outwardly therefrom, a shaft having a thrust hearing within and cooperating with said casing, a wedge having a recess the sides of which are cooperablc through clearance with the opposite sides of said flange to simultaneously limit the movement of said casing and of said bearing and of said shaft longitudinally of the shaft axis, and means cooperating with said Wedge for moving the same and for locking said wedge in adjusted position.

10. In combination, a stationary casing, a movable casing within said stationary casing and having a peripheral flange, a shaft having a thrust hearing within and cooperating with said movable casing, and a rotary wedge slidable within a recess in said stationary casing and cooperable with the opposite sides of said flange to simultaneously limit the movement of said movable casing and of said bearing and of said shaft longitudinally of the shaft axis in either direction.

In testimony whereof, the signature of the inventor is affixed hereto.

HANS P. DAHLSTRAND. 

